Dental apparatus and method

Abstract

Various aspects are directed to dental extraction and dental extraction devices. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments herein, a dental extraction apparatus includes an engagement component that extracts teeth from patients' mouths by engaging with and applying a torque to a tooth. An input torque component translates received input torque to the engagement component. A torque controller operates with the input torque component and the engagement component to limit the applied torque, relative to input torque provided via the input torque component.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dental extraction apparatus comprising:
 an engagement component including a hook configured and arranged to extract a tooth from a patient's mouth by engaging with a side of the tooth via an end portion of the hook and applying a torque to the tooth; 
 an input torque component, including a handle, configured and arranged to receive an input torque and to translate that input torque to the engagement component; and 
 a torque controller, including a spring, configured and arranged with the input torque component and the engagement component to limit the torque applied to the tooth at different selectable torque limits, relative to input torque provided via the input torque component, wherein the engagement component includes a coupling configured and arranged to couple to a plurality of different types of hooks, each hook being configured and arranged with a curvature that matches curvature of a particular type of tooth and that facilitates engagement between the hook and tooth for applying the translated torque to the tooth, each hook being configured and arranged with a curvature that matches a curvature of a tooth that is different than tooth curvature that other ones of the hooks match; and 
 a shaft which is separate from and coupled to the torque controller at a proximal end of the shaft with the engagement component at a distal end of the shaft, the shaft configured and arranged to translate torque from the input torque component to the engagement component, as limited by the torque controller. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a force-absorbing component, including a bumper, adjacent a distal end of the shaft and configured and arranged to cushion the patient's mouth by absorbing force applied via the shaft and providing a pivot point about which the torque is applied to the tooth, and wherein the torque controller is configured and arranged with the input torque component and the engagement component to limit the torque applied to the tooth to a predefined torque, by limiting translation of the input torque to the engagement component based upon an adjustable torque setting provided by the torque controller and corresponding to one of the torque limits. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the torque controller includes a slip clutch configured and arranged to limit the torque applied to the tooth, based upon the adjustable torque setting. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the slip clutch is configured and arranged to mechanically slip in response to a torque input that is greater than a current torque-limit setting, and translate the torque input into a torque output that is applied to the tooth and that is limited in value to a torque-limit setting at which the torque controller is set. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the slip clutch is configured and arranged to translate the input torque to an output torque that is applied to the tooth via the engagement component, and to disengage at least a portion of the input torque from the output torque in response to the input torque exceeding a torque limit. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the torque controller is configured and arranged to provide different selectable torque settings, each corresponding to a different spring tension, the apparatus further including:
 a torque-limiting dial also arranged at the proximal end of the shaft and configured to indicate an amount of torque associated with a torque setting of the torque controller, and 
 a force-absorbing component, including a bumper, adjacent a distal end of the shaft and configured and arranged to cushion the patient's mouth by absorbing force applied via the shaft and providing a pivot point about which the torque is applied to the tooth. 
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the force-absorbing component includes means, adjacent a distal end of the shaft, for providing cushion to the patient's mouth in response to force that is applied via the shaft. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the torque controller is further configured and arranged to apply a force that sets a torque level at which the input torque component slips relative to the engagement component. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is configured and arranged for grasping by a human hand, and wherein the torque controller includes a spring configured and arranged to apply pressure against a torque-limiting plate that operates to slip in response to a torsion that provides a radial force against the spring that exceeds a force applied by the spring to the torque-limiting plate. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the torque controller is configured and arranged to limit the torque applied according to three preset torque limits, including:
 a first low torque setting via which the engagement component is configured and arranged for applying sufficient torque to extract anterior teeth; 
 a second intermediate torque setting via which the engagement component is configured and arranged for applying sufficient torque to extract premolars; and 
 a third high torque setting via which the engagement component is configured and arranged for applying sufficient torque to extract molars and canines, the engagement component being operable for applying a torque under the second intermediate torque setting that is higher than torque applied under the first low torque setting and lower than torque applied under the third high torque setting. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hook is configured and arranged with a curvature that matches curvature of a particular type of tooth and that facilitates engagement between the hook and tooth for applying the translated torque to the tooth. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the input torque component, including the handle, is configured and arranged for grasping by a human hand. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the torque controller includes a slip clutch which is configured and arranged to limit the torque applied to the tooth, based upon an adjustable torque setting, and wherein the slip clutch is configured and arranged to mechanically slip in response to a torque input being greater than a current torque-limit setting, and therein to mitigate a tooth fracture while the apparatus is being used to elevate a tooth from an alveolar socket of the patient. 
     
     
       14. A method comprising:
 engaging a hook with a side surface of, and applying a torque to, a tooth from a patient's mouth via an engagement component that includes the hook, and aligning the hook with the side surface of the tooth; 
 translating a received input torque, from an input torque component which includes a handle, along a shaft which is separate from and coupled to a torque controller at a proximal end of the shaft, and to the engagement component which is at a distal end of the shaft; and 
 limiting the torque applied to the tooth, relative to input torque provided via the input torque component, using the torque controller with the input torque component and the engagement component, wherein the torque controller includes a spring and limiting the torque includes limiting translation of the input torque using a slip clutch, based upon adjustable torque settings provided by the torque controller and corresponding to different torques, by mechanically slipping the slip clutch in response to a torque input that is greater than a current torque-limit setting, and translating the torque input into a torque output that is applied to the tooth and that is limited in value to a torque-limit setting at which the torque controller is set, and wherein engaging with and applying a torque to a tooth includes absorbing a force at a bumper located the engagement component, and therein providing a cushion effect to the patient's mouth by absorbing force applied via the applied torque and providing a pivot point about which the torque is applied to the tooth. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein limiting the torque includes providing via the torque controller:
 a first low torque setting via which the engagement component applies sufficient torque to extract anterior teeth; 
 a second intermediate torque setting via which the engagement component applies sufficient torque to extract premolars; and 
 a third high torque setting via which the engagement component applies sufficient torque to extract molars and canines, the second intermediate torque setting being higher than the first low torque setting and lower than the third high torque setting. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the torque controller includes a slip clutch and wherein limiting the torque applied to the tooth further includes using the slip clutch to limit the torque applied to the tooth, based upon the adjustable torque setting, and wherein the slip clutch mechanically slips in response to an event in which a torque input is greater than a current torque-limit setting, and therein mitigate a tooth fracture while elevating a tooth from an alveolar socket of the patient. 
     
     
       17. A method comprising:
 engaging a hook with a side surface of, and applying a torque to, a tooth from a patient's mouth via an engagement component that includes the hook, and aligning the hook with the side surface of the tooth, wherein the engagement component includes a coupling configured and arranged to couple to a plurality of different types of hooks, each hook being configured and arranged with a curvature that matches curvature of a particular type of tooth and that facilitates engagement between the hook and tooth for applying a translated torque to the tooth, each hook being configured and arranged with a curvature that matches a curvature of a tooth that is different than tooth curvature that other ones of the hooks match; 
 translating a received input torque, via an input torque component which includes a handle and via a shaft, to the engagement component; and 
 limiting the torque applied to the tooth, relative to input torque provided via the input torque component, using a torque controller, which is separate from the shaft and arranged at a proximal end of the shaft to provide different selectable torque limits, with the input torque component and the engagement component.